A firefight between government soldiers and suspected New People's Army rebels erupted this morning in Asipulo, a town in Ifugao. According to a Bombo Radyo Baguio report, members of the 54th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army were conducting community development projects in the town when they encountered the rebels.
As of this writing, three soldiers were reported to have been wounded while one died. However, according to Brigadier General Roger Salvador, commander of the Philippine Army's 501st Brigade, the fatality is yet to be confirmed whether it's true or a false. The encounter between the two forces occurred between six and eight in the morning of October 14 (Tuesday).
This new encounter between
government soldiers and rebels in Asipulo follows at least two other
clashes that happened during the last few weeks in the Cordillera
region.
It
can be recalled that firefights between the two forces have been
erupting in the province of Abra last September. During these clashes,
at least 10 people were killed most of whom were from the rebel side.
Also, in the first week of October, four NPA rebels died when they were
engaged by government forces in the province of Apayao. Said rebels were
reportedly trying to extort money from a town in the province.
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| File photo of New People's Army members during a program in Samar. (Photo from philippinerevolution.net) |
